Imperial title

Overview

An Imperial title grants the bearer wealth or legal powers. Most come with a set of responsibilities that the recipient is expected to undertake. The most famous Imperial title is the Throne but senator, cardinal, general, archmage and the Bourse seats are all examples of powerful Imperial titles.

Eligibility

Any Imperial citizen is eligible to be appointed to an Imperial title, but the constitution explicitly forbids any citizen from holding two Imperial titles simultaneously. No citizen may hold two Imperial titles at the same time. Any title may be surrendered at any time, so a citizen who is elevated to a second Imperial titles must immediately select which office they wish to hold.

National Position

Some Imperial titles are only eligible to members of a specific nation. For example, only a League character can become a League senator or hold a League position in the Bourse. These titles are commonly referred to as national positions, or sometimes national titles. They are governed by all the same rules as a normal Imperial title - you cannot hold more than one Imperial title at once - but they can only be conferred on a member of the appropriate nation.

Responsibilities

Most titles come with a responsibility or duty that the holder is expected to perform. For instance a citizen granted the title of "Defender of the Senate" might be charged with ensuring the defence and security of the Senate during the meetings at Anvil.

There is no contractual obligation to uphold the responsibilities of an office - it is not possible to create a title that requires specific action or dictates how the responsibilities must be discharged. However the responsibilities of an office are important - it is not unknown for citizens to face the threat of revocation by the Synod for failing to adequately discharge the responsibilities of the title they have accepted.

Powers

All Imperial titles may be granted one or more powers of state. Powers of state are legal powers exercised by one or more of the five house of government. For example, the General Assembly of the Synod is able to veto a Senate motion, but The Throne can also wield this power without needing to consult the Synod.

Term of office

Lesser Imperial titles often have tenure. Once elected, the holder of such a title remains in place until they die, resign the position or are revoked by the Synod. More powerful titles are usually subject to re-selection on an annual basis.

All Imperial titles have clearly defined rules that state how the occupant can be removed.

Ownership

Empire is a game of politics, and titles are one of the things that people compete for. Nobody should ever accept an Imperial title without understanding that they may lose that title. They might be revoked or excommunicated; the title might be abrogated by the Senate; or a plot development might mean that the title changes or its production is destroyed. By taking on an Imperial title you are implicitly recognising that you might be engaged in politically motivated conflict, and that your title may be affected by campaign developments in ways you don't like.

Further Reading

• New Imperial titles - explaining the powers of the Senate to create new titles
• Titles by season - listing the titles which are reappointed each season
• Recent history - includes historical lists of appointments to titles at previous events